Montesquieu Biography

Baron de Montesquieu was a French author, political commentator, philosopher, jurist and social commentator. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest philosophers of the late 17th and 18th centuries, whose political ideologies have influenced people all over the world. One of his most important works ‘The Spirit of the Laws' inspired the shaping of the U.S constitution and the English government. His theory on the ‘separation of powers’ has influenced the formulation of many constitutions across the world. He was one of the first scholars to emerge during the Age of Enlightenment, a cultural movement in the 18th century that stressed on reasoning. Some of his other publications include, ‘Persian Letters', ‘Defense de L’Esprit des Lois ', ‘Dialogue de Sylla et d'Eucrate', 'Le Temple de Gnide ' and 'Reflexionssur la MonarchieUniverselle'. He has influenced a wide range of people including Scottish philosopher, David Hume, English-American political activist, Thomas Paine, French political thinker, Alexis de Tocqueville and political theorist Hannah Arendt, among many others. He encouraged political freedom of thought and expression.